Tactical .22 Rifles as Trainers

A tactical-style .22 rifle lets you practice the manual of arms of a centerfire carbine (reloads, safety manipulation, transitions, positional shooting) for a fraction of the ammunition cost and with far less noise and recoil. It's also simply fun. The category is broader than "AR-15 in .22," though. Some rifles copy AR controls closely, some copy other platforms, and some are their own design. This guide sorts the options Ammunition Depot lists by how well each one works as a trainer.

This is a buyer's guide from manufacturer and retailer listings, not a test. Capacity and configuration come from listing names. Check your state's rules, because some listings are specific compliant variants.

S&W M&P15-22 Sport: the AR trainer

If your goal is to practice for an AR-15, this is the closest match. The M&P15-22 uses AR-style controls: charging handle, safety selector, magazine release and bolt catch are where your hands expect them. That lets you rehearse reloads and malfunction clears with the same motions. The listing linked here is a compliant 10-round version, and other configurations exist. Like most rimfire semi-autos, it's designed to run on a range of ammunition power, so start with high-velocity loads. Our jam troubleshooting guide helps if it's fussy.

GSG-16: MP5 style

The GSG-16 copies the look and feel of the classic MP5 subgun. It's more of a fun gun than a strict trainer, unless you happen to train on MP5-pattern controls. The listing shows a 22-round magazine. It's popular with collectors and plinkers who want something different on the line.

Kel-Tec SU22: high capacity, unique design

Kel-Tec's SU22 is its own design rather than a copy. It's light and offers a large 26-round magazine per the listing, which makes it a strong high-volume plinker. It shares less muscle memory with an AR than the M&P15-22 does, so pick it for fun and capacity, not rehearsal.

The 10/22 route: X-Ring and FX22

Ruger's 10/22 pattern has the biggest aftermarket in rimfire. The Tactical Solutions X-Ring Takedown builds on that pattern with a threaded barrel and a lightweight setup per its listing. That makes it a strong suppressor host where suppressors are legal. You can also build your own from a factory 10/22 using drop-in parts, such as the FX22 threaded barreled receiver listed at Ammunition Depot. Check fitment for your model before ordering. See our rimfire rifle guide for the wider 10/22 picture.

Make training realistic

• Mount the same kind of optic you run on your centerfire rifle. Our rimfire optics roundup and rimfire vs centerfire scope guides cover the details.
• Shoot steel and reactive targets for fast feedback. See our targets roundup.
• Run timed drills, and keep the gun clean, since rimfire fouling adds up quickly.

For competition, NRL22 and rimfire Steel Challenge both welcome these rifles. Our comparison explains which fits.

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